ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — July 15, 2008 — Robert J. Blewis has been selected as the Chief of Staff for the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

Blewis joined the DoDEA staff in January 2006 and has served both as the Assistant and Acting Associate Director for Financial and Business Operations, overseeing a budget of approximately $1.8 billion, as well as managing DoDEA's procurement, logistics, information technology, and safety and security missions.

As the DoDEA Chief of Staff, Blewis is responsible to the Director for a wide variety of policy, staff, and administrative support.

"I'm looking forward to working closely with our new Director, Dr. Shirley Miles, in carrying out DoDEA's mission of highest student achievement," said Blewis.

Blewis is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after serving in both the enlisted and officer ranks at the combat, headquarters, training and service support levels. His assignments include infantry and field artillery positions and as a Financial Manager, serving as a Budget Analyst, Fiscal Officer, Disbursing Officer, Assistant Comptroller, Comptroller, Budget Officer, and finally as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps Financial Management School. Prior to joining DoDEA, Blewis served both as the Logistics and Resources Unit Chief for the Security Division and Deputy Budget Officer of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at their headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Blewis is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He received a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1980 and a Master of Arts Degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Webster University in 1998 and 2000.

He will begin his duties as the DoDEA Chief of Staff in early August.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the education programs for Department of Defense (DoD) dependents who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) located in the United States and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

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